Chapter 17

Jacob's eyes traced the house in front of him. It was a small sort of cabin with wooden steps and a wooden wrap around porch. It looked old and sat at the beginning of a huge field. It had taken him and Hunter a few hours to walk to the cabin and they were in the woods for most of the way.

"Welcome to my home." Hunter stared at Jacob. He was excited to have his mate in his territory. When Hunter entered Jacob's room for the first time, he immediately wanted to lay on his bed and cover it with his scent. It hurt Hunter to have to resist.

It was an exciting time for any werewolf to mingle their scents with a mate.

Hunter led Jacob up the creaky steps and unlocked the door. The wooden theme followed it's way into the big kitchen and living area. It was small because it was only a studio, though, it was incredibly homely. Jacob found himself looking around. It was lived in and rather cluttered, but everything had its own place.

Before Jacob stepped any further, he took off his shoes and placed them neatly out of the way.

"You don't have to do that, it's fine." Hunter continued to watch as Jacob quietly hung his bag and his jacket up next to his father's coats and his mother's scarfs. He noticed how Jacob was a little tense. Introducing the human to a new place was the type of situation to spark his anxiety. "You can make yourself at home, Jacob."

Jacob tried to suppress an odd emotion which was building up inside of him. The way he said his name fuzzed his senses and his chest felt a burst of warmth. Jacob slowly walked closer. He was wringing his hands and his eyes were completely avoiding Hunter's beautiful grey ones.

The werewolf could only watch, a little unsure on how to calm him. "Would you like any food?"

Sam and Brad went home to give them time to be together. Hunter was still irritated about Brad's behaviour. Nobody was allowed to touch his mate, especially with hurtful intentions. He wanted to hurt his Delta wolf in return until he begged for forgiveness, but his parents raised him better than that. He had to put those thoughts to the back of his mind and concentrate on making Jacob feel welcome in his home. "Don't worry, I'm making some too," Hunter smiled and headed in the direction of the kitchen.

"Okay," Jacob chewed on his bottom lip and shuffled a little closer. He didn't know what to do. The more nervous he felt, the more his body was freezing on one spot like he was turning to stone.

Hunter could feel it. He wondered what it must be like to live in such a way that the slightest little thing could affect someone state of mind. He glanced at Jacob who was trying to encourage himself to walk over, but he seemed paralysed by his own nerves. Hunter stopped what he was doing and listened to his thoughts.

"Stop being so pathetic," Jacob muttered to himself. "Why do you always have to get like this?"

Hunter quietly approached him. He knew the struggles Jacob faced in his everyday life. The human was fine most days but new things really seemed to break him down.

When Hunter was only a foot away from him, he lifted a warm hand and placed it on his mate's shoulder. Jacob diverted his gaze to the floor and tensed. It only lasted for a few second. He was forced to relax because he enjoyed Hunter's touch too much.

"You want a hug, don't you?" Hunter's sparkling eyes watched Jacob frown and attempt to step back. He didn't give him the chance and pulled him closer.

"I don't-"

Hunter wrapped his arms around him as Jacob placed his hands on his chest to push him away but now, with Hunter's strengths, his arms were trapped like that and his body was pushed firmly against his.

"I don't want to hug you-"

"We both know that's a lie," Hunter said softly. "You're stressing yourself out, I can help." Jacob stood still while Hunter stared deep into his chocolate eyes. "Just relax. I told you if you need a hug, just ask."

Deep down, Jacob wanted the hug. Of course he did. There was strong emotions pulsing through him, not to mention Hunter's feelings and he was openly stronger. Hunter was good at allowing all his affection to flow freely.

"It feels too fast," Jacob whispered.

"It's just a hug-"

"I don't like hugging people." Jacob used his force to push Hunter back. He was strong too and very able to stick up for himself. If only he carried more confidence to do so more often.

"With me it's different. Who are you trying to convince otherwise? You're just going to struggle if you block it out. Why is it so hard to accept?" Hunter hated how he had been physically pushed away. It hurt more than he was letting on.

"Because it's not normal," Jacob said with a little more hostility to his voice. "This situation... it's not right. You're not supposed to exist."

Hunter crossed his arms. "But we do. I've shown you."

"And you expect me to just get over it within a day?"

"No, but-"

"I'm going home." Jacob didn't want to be in this situation. He didn't want werewolves to exist, he didn't want to be someone's mate, he didn't want to be around anyone right now. As he turned, Hunter quickly stepped forwards and grabbed his wrist.

"Don't leave, please," he begged. "I know you need time. It's hard for me to take because I didn't prepare for you to not accept me. I thought the bond would bring us much closer."

"It has," Jacob yanked his wrist back and turned with watery eyes. "That's what's freaking me out."

Hunter sighed and allowed his heart to deflate at seeing him so panicked. "You need to tell me this out loud. It feels too intrusive listening to only your thoughts that you don't want me to hear. You need to be truthful and tell me everything you feel. If it's going too fast, we can talk about it. I've lived in your head for half a year. I know that you're freaking out but I know that you'll keep it hidden and try to get through it by yourself." Hunter had stepped closer as Jacob listened. "We're in this together now, you can't burden me with your issues because I already know them all."

Jacob wasn't used to being around someone who understood him. Not even his parents knew him like Hunter did, and he didn't know if it was a breath of fresh air or a warning sign. But then again, he had searched for half a year to find someone who could help him and that person seemed to be standing right in front of him. He'd be a fool to push him away now.

"It-It's just hard," he mumbled and started to fidgeting with his fingers. "I'm not good with- um..."

"Communicating?" Hunter smiled. "I know. You're so quiet, even I sometimes struggle to hear you. When you're not heated about something, you say barely anything. But that's okay because I don't mind. It's cute, I'm sure I've told you multiple times before we even connected the bond."

Jacob's cheeks flushed red. "It's not cute!"

"It really is." Hunter stepped close enough to rest a hand on his shoulder again. "And I know you're not fond of contact but in all honesty, I'm going to be quite physically affectionate with you. I like hugs and I like to just feel that you're there so I'm afraid it'll be something you'll just have to get used to."

Jacob really liked his touch, but he wasn't ready to accept it. He was so used to hating everyone else's. Or maybe, he was just too shy and awkward to do anything about it. "I don't have to get used to anything," he whispered with a little frown. Hunter's dominance was something he'd have to start picking apart. "Don't force hugs, let me take my time."

After a moment, Hunter said, "Alright." He squeezed Jacob's shoulder, surprised by his clear instructions, but knowing that deep down, he wasn't sure when his controlling behaviour was too much for a human. "I'll give you time." Hunter studied his big cocoa-coloured eyes. He could stare at them forever, they were mesmerising, especially when they were caught by the sun. "So... How about that food?"

The corners of Jacob's mouth twitched towards a smile. That was enough for Hunter to feel satisfied as he led him to the table and pulled out a chair for him to sit on.

Jacob felt more relaxed while Hunter fiddled with the radio.

"I hope you like popular stuff," Hunter chuckled and glanced over his shoulder. Jacob's eyebrows furrowed slightly, rejecting his taste in music. "You don't?" Jacob shook his head. "Oh... what music are you into?"

Jacob shrugged, but Hunter read his mind. "Indie and alternative stuff huh?" He smiled that dazzling smile. Jacob cursed at himself for looking because he found it hard to look away. "You'll have to let me listen sometime. But for today, I'll try and not torture you with my singing and poor taste in music."

Hunter turned his back on him, so he could continue to find the right radio station. While he wasn't looking, Jacob revealed the tiniest smile. He did appreciate how kind and welcoming Hunter was trying to be. The werewolf did do a good job at making his mate feel a little more comfortable, but it was his dominant side that Jacob needed to talk about. Hunter was demanding and forward with his words and actions.

Though, pinching in the back of Jacob's mind, he knew that eventually it wouldn't be a problem.